ThermoLift

ThermoLift is developing a natural gas-driven heat pump and air conditioner that will replace heating, cooling and hot water systems with a single device. ThermoLift’s core technology is a heat pump using the Vuilleumier thermodynamic cycle, which uses thermal energy (natural gas) to capture ambient energy from the environment, providing more heating to a building than is input with the natural gas. It can use this same cycle to reject heat to the environment, providing air conditioning in the summer.

HVAC Systems

Thermal conditioning for buildings or equipment, including water heating and appliances.

THE IMPACT

Heating, cooling and hot water systems represent the largest portion of electricity consumed in buildings. ThermoLift expects to reduce commercial and residential energy consumption with its technology.

HOW IN2 IS HELPING

ThermoLift was receiving assistance to develop the next generation of their appliance. NREL’s testing capabilities had helped identify and avoid unforeseen risks associated with real-world deployment. Additionally, models developed at the lab had given ThermoLift a clearer picture of the technology’s impact on energy consumption and the environment.

Successfully Completed IN2 Project

In the News

This morning, six promising early stage commercial buildings technology companies were announced as the second cohort of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, IN2. IN2 is a five-year $10 million program funded through the Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by NREL. The program provides selected companies up to $250,000 in technical and business assistance, in order…